WHO travel restrictions from June 1

ISLAMABAD - The travel restrictions imposed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) will come into effect from June 1, 2014, and all travellers from Pakistan will be required to produce a valid vaccination certificate.A joint statement by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and the World Health Organisation on the IHR (International health Regulations) temporary recommendations relating to international travel to and from Pakistan said that a template for the required vaccination certificate has been prepared in compliance with the IHR Annex VII. And until printing of the template is completed, a certificate can be issued on plain paper with the required stamps from health officials.The statement reiterates that Pakistan takes seriously its responsibilities as a signatory to the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, and is fully committed to their implementation in letter and spirit.The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (M/o NHSR&C) has already taken several measures to implement the IHR temporary recommendations made by the WHO director-general relating to the public health emergency of international concern caused by the spread of poliovirus from Pakistan. The provinces are taking action under the coordination of M/o NHSR&C and the implementation process has been initiated and health facilities across Pakistan are now vaccinating prospective travellers and issuing the required vaccination certificate. The preparations for full implementation are expected to complete in two weeks.The federal and provincial governments are collaborating closely with WHO, Unicef and the health development partners to mobilise available resources and ensure availability of vaccine, vaccination certificates and human resources. And WHO alongside other health development and polio eradication partners will continue to provide technical support to the government of Pakistan and the provincial governments to facilitate implementation of efforts in compliance with the IHR temporary recommendations, it added.end